schwengel



Mam}! 1955 H. w. SCHWENGEL CUPOLAS AND CHARGING APPARATUS THEREFOR 3- Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 1, 1952 INV OR. A 4/ 1 BY W @470EN25/5.

March 22, 1955 w, sc w 2,704,610

CUPOLAS AND CHARGING APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed April 1, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 J: MEET A March 22, 1955 w SCHWENGEL 2,704,610

CUPOLAS AND CHARGING APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed April 1. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent CUPOLAS AND CHARGING APPARATUS THEREFOR Harold W. Schwengel, Port Washington, Wis., assignor to Modern Equipment Company, Port Washington, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application April 1, 1952, Serial No. 279,877

24 Claims. (Cl. 214-19) This invention relates to improvements in cupolas and charging apparatus therefor.

The majority of the cupolas in operation at the present time are what is known as the open or unsealed type of cupola. In this type of cupola the gases of combustion usually pass out through the open top of the cupola and are discharged into the atmosphere. It is extremely difiicult to control the temperatures in an open type cupola, and it is not possible to attain uniformity in the grey iron produced unless the temperatures in the cupola are kept uniform.

With the above in mind, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved cupola which is at all times kept sealed, to thereby permit accurate control of the incoming air as well as of the outgoing gases and thereby make possible accurate control of the temperatures within the cuploa.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cupola and charging apparatus therefor which permits the dumping of a charge into the cupola without changing the sealed condition of the cupola.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cupola and charging apparatus therefor, said cupola having a charging opening and including a bottomemptying, covered charging bucket positionable adjacent the cupola opening in a position to discharge its contents thereinto, there being cooperable sealing means on said bucket and cupola to seal the bucket to the cupola around the cupola opening, and there also being a closure for the cupola opening which is movable to open position after the bucket is in sealing engagement with the cupola.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cupola and charging apparatus therefor wherein the cupola has a top opening surrounded by an annular, vertically compressible seal, and wherein the charging bucket is provided with circumferentially extending annular abutment means positionable on and sealingly engageable with the compressible seal to seal the bucket to the cupola around the cupola opening when the bucket is in cupola charging position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cupola charging apparatus of the class described including a skip carriage and an open bottomed charging bucket supported by said carriage, said bucket having a bottom closure member and having at least one tubular trunnion, there being a power driven cable drum mounted on the skip carriage, and there being a cable extending through said tubular trunnion and connecting the bottom closure member to the cable drum.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the class described wherein the skip carriage is provided with electrical contacts connected to an electric motor for driving the cable drums thereon, there being cooperable electrical contacts mounted adjacent the charging position of the skip carriage, said lastmentioned contacts being adapted to be connected to a source of electric power to transmit current to the firstmentioned contacts when the skip carriage is in cupola charging position.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cupola and charging apparatus therefor wherein the cupola is provided with a transversely movable, horizontal door normally closing the top opening of the cupola and movable to open position while the bucket is in sealing engagement with the compressible seal above the cupola, the bucket being movable to a lowered position ice within the top opening of the cupola upon movement of the door to open position to thereby compress said seal.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cupola and charging apparatus therefor wherein the bucket is provided with locking mechanism for its bottom closure member, said mechanism including a tripping lever which is actuated by movement of the bucket to lowered position within the top opening of the cupola.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved cupola and charging apparatus therefor, as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification, wherein one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention is shown, and wherein like characters of reference indicate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of the improved cupola and charging apparatus therefor, the charging bucket and skip carriage being shown in cupola charging position, and the loading position of the bucket and skip carriage being shown in dot and dash lines;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of the top of the improved cupola with the charging bucket removed therefrom, and showing the door for the top opening of the cupola in open position;

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken through the top of the improved cupola and through the improved charging bucket as indicated by the lines 3-3 of Figs. 2 and 5, the charging bucket being shown in lowered position within the top opening of the cupola;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the lower portion only of the bucket and showing the bucket positioned on the annular seal in alinement with and above the top opening of the cupola, this view being taken approximately along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the improved skip carriage and bucket in cupola charging position, one of the skip carriage tracks being removed to show the skip carriage wheels;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side view of one of the rails on which one of the door wheels for the top opening of the cupola travels, this view being taken approximately along the line 6-6 of Fig. 2, and two positions of one of said wheels being shown in dot and dash lines; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view similar to a portion of Fig. 3, showing a modified form of the invention.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a cupola which embodies improvements forming part of the subject matter of the invention. The numeral 11 indicates a skip carriage track extending from a position above the cupola 10 downwardly and laterally to a loading station. The numeral 12 indicates a skip carriage positioned to traverse the track 11. The skip carriage supports a cupola charging bucket 13 which is constructed in accordance with the invention.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the cupola 10 is provided with a water-cooled top wall 14 which is formed with a central charging opening 15, preferably circular. An annular ring of sealing material 16 surrounds the opening 15, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. A water cooled circular door 17 is adapted to be positioned on the annular sealing ring 16 to sealingly close the opening 15. The cupola top wall 14 is formed with a lateral extension 18, and positioned on said top wall 14 and on its extension 18 are three parallel rails 19, 20 and 21. The door 17 is provided with flanged wheels 22, 23 and 24 to provide a rolling support for the door 17 along a predetermined horizontal path. The height of the rails 19, 20 and 21 is such that when the cover 17 is in any position other than in vertical alignment with the opening 15, the cover is spaced above the annular sealing ring 16. When the door 17 is in vertical alignment with the opening 15, the wheels 22, 23 and 24 are all positioned in depressions such as the depression 25 in the rail 19, shown in Fig. 6, and the door 17 is therefore in a lowered position so that it is in sealing engagement with the annular ring 16.

An enclosed casing 26 (see Figs. 2 and 3) is positioned on the top wall 14 of the cupola and on the extension 18, and said casing encloses the top opening 15 of the cupola as well as the cover 17. The door 17 and the casing 26 provide a structure similar to a large gate valve for closing the top opening 15 of the cupola. It Wlll be noted from Fig. 2 that the casing 26 has a pair of parallel, vertical side walls 27 and 28 positioned outwardly of the rails 19 and 20, said side walls being connected by a semi-circular end wall 29 which projects upwardly from the edge of the extension plate 18. The top wall of the casing 26 is indicated by the numeral 30. The side wall of the casing 26 which is opposite the arcuate wall 29 is positioned adjacent the margin of the top opening 15 and is indicated by the numeral 31 (Fig. 3). The top wall 30 of the casing 26 is formed With a circular opening 32 which is in vertical alignment with and of larger diameter than the top wall opening 15 of the cupola.

A circular sleeve or sealing ring 33 projects vertically from the margins of the opening 32 and has its upper end formed with a downwardly and inwardly directed annular flange 34 which may be supported by gusset plates 35. Telescopically slidable on the exterior of the sleeve 33 (as shown in Figs. 3 and 4) is a circular sleeve or sealing ring 36 having an annular sealing ring 37 at its lower end, which ring provides a slidable seal between the sleeves 33 and 36. An annular plate 38 is fixed, as by welding, to the upper end of the sleeve 36 and projects radially inwardly as well as radially outwardly therefrom.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the plate 38 is provided with four peripheral, downwardly-opening retaining cups for springs 41. As shown in Fig. 3, a vertical spring retaining sleeve 40 is positioned below and in alignment with each of the cups 39, and within each set of cups 39 and 40 the compression springs 41 are positioned to urge the plate 38 and sleeve 36 upwardly toward the raised position shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 2, the door 17 may be actuated by a hydraulic ram 32 mounted on the casing 26. The plunger of the ram 42 slidably extends horizontally through the wall 29 and is connected at its inner end to said door. A pair of horizontal conduits 43 and 44 also slidably extend through the wall 29 and provide cooling water inlet and return connections for the door 17. Referring again to Fig. 3 the charging bucket 13 1s provided with a tubular cylindrical body 44 which is flared outwardly at its upper end as at 45. The open bottom of the body 44 is provided with a vertically movable cone or hell 46 providing a closure therefor, said bell having an upstanding central stem 47, t the upper end of which a crossarm 48 is pivotally connected. The bell 46 has a peripheral portion 49 extending laterally outwardly beyond the periphery of the body 44 and provided with an upstanding loop 50. Pivotally mounted on the exterior of the body 44 above the loop 50 is a locking lever 51 in the form of a bell crank, and having a hook portion 52 at its lower end which is engageable in the loop 50, as shown in Fig. 4, to lock the bell 46 in closed position. The upper arm 53 of the lever 51 forms a tripping arm for said lever.

Projecting laterally from an intermediate portion of the body 44 is a horizontal annular flange 54 having an outer diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the annular plate 38. As shown in Fig. 3, the outer diameter of the body 44 is substantially less than the diameter of the top opening of the cupola. The annular flange 54 may be supported against upward deflection by a plurality of triangular gussets 55. Projecting downwardly and outwardly from the juncture of the plate 54 with the body 44 is an annular conical flange 56. The flange 56 is slotted, as at 57, to receive the arm 53 of the lever 51. As shown in Fig. 3, the outer diameter of the flange 56 is greater than the inner diameter of the flange 34, but is less than the outer diameter of the latter flange. The flange 56 may be supportegl8 against upward deflection by a plurality of gussets A pair of coaxial, diametrically extending bucket supporting trunnions 59 (see Fig. 3) which are preferably tubular, project horizontally outwardly from the upper portion 45 of the body 44 and are rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 60 carried by the skip carriage 12.

portion 45 of the bucket body 44, and has a pair of vertical side walls 62 and 63 (see Fig. 5) as well as a horizontal top wall 64 and a horizontal bottom wall 65. Positioned on the upper surface of the top wall 64 is a deflector plate 66 which is inverted V-shaped in cross section. Within the hollow partition 61 is a pair of sheaves 67 and 68 which are mounted for rotation on horizontal axes normal to the axis of the trunnions 59. The sheave 67 is above one end of the arm 48, and the sheave 68 is above the other end of said arm, as shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 5, the skip carriage 12 is generally rectangular in shape and has a pair of flanged wheels 69 approximately midway of its length and a similar pair of flanged wheels 70 adjacent its rear end. Said wheels are adapted to travel between pairs of rails 71 carried by the tracks 11, as shown in Fig. 5. As also shown in Fig. 5, the bearings 60 are mounted forwardly of the wheels 69. Outwardly of the bearings 60 the skip carriage 12 carries sheaves 72 which are preferably mounted for rotation on axes substantially normal to the plane of the skip carriage as well as normal to the axis of trunnions 59.

Mounted on the rear end of the skip carriage 12 is an electric motor 73 for driving a speed reduction unit 74 from which a pair of oppositely directed coaxial shafts 75 and 76 projects. The shaft 75 carries a cable drum 77, and the shaft 76 carries a cable drum 78. A cable 79 is connected at one end to one end of the arm 48, as shown in Fig. 3, and has an intermediate portion extending over the sheave 67, through the tubular trunnion 59, and around the sheave 72. The cable 79 has its opposite end connected to and wound around the drum 77. A corresponding cable 80 has one end connected to the opposite end of the arm 48 and has an intermediate portion extending over the sheave 68, through the tubular trunnion 59, and around the sheave 72, its opposite end being connected to and wound around the drum 78.

As shown in Fig. 5, the skip carriage 12 is provided with a plate 81 projecting from its rear end. Three electrical contact members 82, 83 and 84 are mounted on the plate 81 and project upwardly therefrom. A three-wire cable 85 connects the motor 73 with the contacts 82, 83 and 84. Mounted on a suitable bracket 86 carried by one of the skip carriage tracks 11 are three downwardly projecting electrical contact members 87, 88 and 89 which are connected by a three-wire cable 90 to a suitable source of electric power (not shown). The contacts 82, 83 and 84 engage the contacts 87, 88 and 89 when the skip carriage is in the position shown in Fig. 1, said contacts being disengaged by movement of the skip carriage away from the charging position of Fig. 1.

Also mounted on the rear end of the skip carriage is a transverse bar 91 which is pivotally connected to said carriage intermediate its length as at 92. A pair of hoisting cables 93 are connected to the ends of the bar 91 and extend upwardly to a pair of power driven hoisting drums 94 mounted above the upper end of the skip carriage track 11, as shown in Fig. 1. Mounted above the upper end of the cupola 10 is a power driven cable drum 95 to which is connected a pair of cables 96. Suspended from the lower end of the cables 96 by chains 97 is a charging bucket cover 98.

As shown in Fig. 1, the upper ends of the skip carriage tracks 11 are closed as at 99 for limiting the travel of the front skip carriage wheels 69. It will also be noted that the tracks 11 each include an upstanding arcuate section 100 which is traversible by the skip carriage wheels 70 when the front wheels 69 abut the closed ends 99.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a pair of spaced I beams 102 and 103 project vertically from the periphery of the cupola and extend well beyond the upper end thereof. The beams 102 and 103 rotatably support sheaves 104 and 105 at their upper ends. A cable 106 extends over the sheaves 104 and 105 and is connected at each end to a counterweight 107. The front end of the skip carriage 12 is provided with a hook member 101, and the cable 106 and hook 101 are so positioned that when the front skip carriage wheels 69 abut the closed track ends 99, the hook 101 is engageable with an intermediate portion of the cable 106 between the sheaves 104 and A hollow partition 61 extends diametrically across the 35 105. Thus, when the skip carriage 12 pivots in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. l), the wheels 70 travel upwardly in the track section 100, and the hook 101 pulls downwardly on the intermediate portion 106 of the cable to thereby raise the counterweights 107.

Operation In the operation of the improved cupola, the door 17 is normally in closed position with respect to the top opening and is in sealing engagement with the annular ring 16, as in Fig. 4. At the beginning of a loading cycle the bucket cover 98 is in the raised position shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. l, and the skip carriage 12 and bucket 13 areat the .loading station, as also shown in dot and dash lines in Fig. 1. In addition, the outer telescopic sleeve 36 is in its normal raised position shown in Fig. 4.

After the bucket 13 has been loaded with the desired charge, the hoisting drum 94 is actuated to pull the skip carriage and bucket upwardly along the tracks 11 until the forward carriage wheels 69 abut the closed track ends 99. Rotation of the drum 94 is continued and the rear carriage wheels 70 move upwardly along the arcuate track section 100, the skip carriage 12 rotating in a counterclockwise direction about the axis of the wheels 69. The weight of the charge in the bucket 13 is counterbalanced by the counterweights 101 which are lifted, as previously described by the counterclockwise rotation of the skip carriage. The counterclockwise rotation of the skip carriage is continued until the annular flange 54 of the bucket 13 is positioned on and sealingly engages the annular plate 38 of the sleeve 36, as shown in Fig. 4. As the bucket 13 is lowered to this position, the conical flange 34 centers the lower end of the bucket for travel therethrough.

With the bucket in the position of Fig. 4, the cover 98 is lowered onto the open top of said bucket, and the door 17 is withdrawn laterally by the ram 42 to the position of Fig. 2. The bucket 13 is then additionally lowered to the position of Fig. 3 by further rotation of the drums 94. In this position the lower end of the bucket projects into the top opening 15 of the cupola. During this lowering movement the sleeve 36 slides vertically downwardly along the sleeve 33 from the position of Fig. 4 to the position of Fig. 3, and the compression springs 41 are compressed by the force of the bucket on the plate 38. As the bucket moves from the position of Fig. 4 to the position of Fig. 3, the flange 56 coacting with the flange 34 centers the bucket for passage into the top opening 15 of the cupola. As the bucket 13 nears the position of Fig. 3, the arm 53 of the lever 51 engages the flange 34 to pivot the lever in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3. This moves the hook 52 out of the loop 50 and unlocks the bucket bell 46. By suitable controls (not shown) the motor 73 is run in a direction to cause the drums 77 and 78 to pay out the cables 79 and 80. This lowers the bucket bell 46 and empties the charge from the bucket.

The counterweights 107 tend to raise the emptied bucket and front end of the skip, but unrestricted movement is prevented by the cable 93 and hoisting drum 94. As soon as the bucket is emptied, the motor 73 is driven in a reverse direction to tighten the cables 79 and 80 and pull the bell 46 upwardly to closed position. It should be noted that when the bucket bell 46 is in lowered position no gases from the cupola can escape through the bucket, since the cover 98 effectively seals the upper end thereof and the bucket is sealed to the cupola around the opening 15. The cables 93 are then slackened sufficiently, by reverse rotation of the drums 94, to permit the bucket to raise to the position of Fig. 4. As the bucket is so raised, the locking lever 51 swings by gravity to move the hook 52 into the loop 50, as shown in Fig. 4. The door 17 is then moved laterally by the ram 42 to closed positlon over the cupola top opening 15.

Next, the cover 98 is lifted 01f of the bucket 13 by the hoisting drum 95, and the cables 93 are slackened by further reverse rotation of the drums 94, to permit the counterweights 107 to swing the skip 12 in a clockwise direction. This moves the rear carriage wheels 70 downwardly and out of the arcuate track section 100. When the wheels 70 reach the main portions of the tracks 11, the force of gravity returns the skip carriage 12 and bucket 13 to the loading station, the cables 93 being payed out sufliciently by the drums 94 to permit such movement.

It is apparent that the entire charging operation is carried out without breaking the seal of the cupola, and thus it is possible to accurately control the flow of gases through the cupola as well as the temperatures therein.

Fig. 7 shows a modified form of the invention and is a fragmentary view similar to the lower right hand portion of Fig. 3. The parts indicated by primed numerals in Fig. 7 may be identical with parts of Fig. 3 indicated by the same numerals unprimed. In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7 the ring 36' is not provided with a sealing ring such as the ring 37 of Fig. 3, and the ring 36' is shorter than the ring 36. Thus, the ring 36' does not have a slidable telescopic sealing engagement with the sleeve 33'. Sealingly fixed at its upper end to the lower end of the ring 36' is an annular extensible curtain 360 which is sealingly connected at its lower end to the top wall 30 of the easing 26'. Where the ring 36' projects laterally beyond the casing 26, the lower end of the curtain 360 is sealingly fixed to the upper wall 14 of the cupola 10. The curtain 360 may be made of any suitable substan- 7 tially fluid tight foldable or resilient material.

The operation of the modified form of the invention is substantially the same as that of the principal form, except that when the sleeve 36' moves upwardly, the curtain 360 extends vertically to maintain a sealing connection between the ring 36 and the top walls 30' and 14'. As the ring 36" again moves downwardly during another loading cycle, the curtain 360 shortens correspondingly.

The specific illustrations of the invention and the corresponding description are used for the purpose of disclosure only and it is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. All of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination: a cupola having a top wall formed with an opening; a bottom-emptying charging bucket; a vertically movable annular sealing ring on the cupola top wall surrounding said top wall opening; an annular abutment on said bucket periphery; carrying means for moving said bucket toward a discharge position at the top of said cupola in alinement with said top opening, said sealing ring being positioned to be engaged by the annular abutment of the bucket prior to arrival of the bucket at discharge position; and a closure for said top opening of the cupola mounted for movement to an open position while said abutment and sealing ring are thus engaged, said sealing ring being thereafter movable downwardly by the weight of the bucket thereon.

2. In combination: a cupola having a top wall formed with an opening; a bottom-emptying charging bucket; telescopic sleeves on the top wall of said cupola surrounding said top opening, said sleeves being sealingly engaged with each other and one of said sleeves being sealed to said cupola top wall; spring means normally holding another of said sleeves in a raised position; an annular flange on the periphery of said bucket; carrying means for moving said bucket toward discharge position at the top of said cupola where the annular flange is in sealing engagement with said raised sleeve and, said raised sleeve being so positioned that it is engaged by said annular flange of the bucket before the bucket arrives at discharge position of the cupola mounted for movement to open position while said bucket flange is in sealing engagement with said raised sleeve.

3. In combination: a cupola having a top wall formed with an opening; a bottom-emptying charging bucket; telescopic sleeves on the top wall of said cupola surrounding said top opening, said sleeves being sealing ly engaged with each other and one of said sleeves being sealed to said cupola top wall; spring means normally holding another of said sleeves in a raised position; an annular flange extending circumferentially on the periphery of said bucket; carrying means for moving said bucket to a predetermined position at the top of said cupola where the annular flange is positioned on and sealingly engages said raised sleeve and wherethe bucket is alined with and above said top opening; and a closure for said top wall opening of the cupola mounted for movement to open position while said bucket is in said predetermined position, said bucket carrying means also being operable to lower said bucket from said predetermined position further into said top wall opening to thereby move the raised sleeve downwardly against the action of its spring means.

4. In combination: a cupola having a top wall formed with an opening; a charging bucket, having an open bottom, and having a closure for said open bottom; releasable locking means normally holding said bottom closure in closed position, said means including a tripping lever; a vertical annular sealing ring on the top wall of the cupola surrounding its top wall opening; an annular abutment on said bucket periphery; carrying means for moving said bucket to a predetermined position at the top of said cupola where the annular abutment sealingly engages said annular sealing ring and where the bucket is alined with and above said top opening; a closure for said top opening of the cupola mounted for movement to open position while said bucket is in said predetermined position, said bucket carrying means also being operable to lower said bucket from said predetermined position further into said top wall opening to thereby move said sealing ring downwardly; and abutment means on said cupola positioned to trip said tripping lever as said bucket is thus further lowered into said top wall opening to thereby release the bottom closure of the bucket.

5. In combination: a cupola having a top wall formed with an opening; a horizontal door movable laterally into and out of sealing engagement with said opening; a casing on said cupola top wall enclosing said opening and door, said casing having a top opening vertically alined with said top opening of the cupola; a bottom-emptying charging bucket; carrying means for moving said bucket toward cupola charging position at the top of said cupola where material can be discharged from said bucket through said top openings into said cupola when said door is open; and cooperative abutment means on said bucket and easing forming an annular seal between the periphery of said bucket and the margin of said top opening of the casing prior to arrival of the bucket at cupola charging position whereby the door for the cupola opening may be opened while a seal is maintained around the cupola opening.

6. In combination: a cupola charging bucket having a pair of trunnions, at least one of which is tubular; a bottom closure for said bucket; a skip-carriage having a pair of bearings in which said trunnions are mounted; and a closure operating cable having one end within said bucket and connected to said bottom closure of the bucket, said cable having an intermediate portion extending through said tubular trunnion and its bearing.

7. In combination: a cupola charging bucket having a pair of trunnions, at least one of which is tubular; a vertically movable bell normally closing the bottom of said bucket; a skip-carriage having a pair of hearings in which said trunnions are mounted; and a bell operating cable having one end within said bucket and connected to said bell, said cable having an intermediate portion extending through said tubular trunnion and its bearing.

8. In combination: a cupola charging bucket having a pair of trunnions, at least one of which is tubular; a vertically movable bell normally closing the bottom of said bucket and having an upstanding stem; a hollow partition extending diametrically within said bucket in alinement with said trunnions; a sheave mounted within said partition; a skip-carriage having a pair of bearings in which said trunnions are mounted; and a bell operating cable having one end within said bucket and connected to said bell stem, said cable having an intermediate portion extending within said partition over said sheave, and through said tubular trunnion and its bearing.

9. In combination: a cupola charging bucket having a pair of tubular trunnions; a vertically movable bell normally closing the bottom of said bucket and having an upstanding T-shaped stem; a hollow partition extending diametrically within said bucket in alinement with said trunnions; a pair of sheaves mounted within said partition; a skip-carriage having a pair of bearings in which said trunnions are mounted; and a pair of bell operating cables each having one end within said bucket and connected to a separate arm of said bell stem, said cables each having an intermediate portion extending within said partition over a separate one of said sheaves, and through a tubular trunnion and its bearing.

10. In combination: a cupola charging bucket having a pair of coaxial tubular trunnions; a vertically movable bell normally closing the bottom of said bucket and having an upstanding T-shaped stem; a hollow partition extending diametrically within said bucket and above said stem in alinement with said trunnions; a pair of sheaves mounted within said partition for rotation on horizontal axes normal to the axis of said trunnions; a skip-carriage having a pair of bearings in which said trunnions are mounted; a sheave mounted on said skip-carriage adjacent each of said bearings for rotation on axes normal to the axis of said trunnions, and a pair of bell operating cables each having one end within said bucket and connected to a separate arm of said bell stem, said cables each having an intermediate portion extending within said partition over a separate one of said sheaves and through one of said tubular trunnions and its bearing, and said cables each extending over one of said skip sheaves.

11. In combination: a cupola charging bucket having a pair of trunnions, at least one of which is tubular; a bottom closure for said bucket; a skip-carriage having a pair of hearings in which said trunnions are mounted; a power driven cable actuating mechanism mounted on said skipcarriage; and a bottom closure actuating cable having one end within said bucket and connected to said bottom closure, said cable having an intermediate portion extending through said tubular trunnion and its bearing and having its opposite end connected to said power driven cable actuating mechanism.

12. In combination: a cupola charging bucket having a pair of trunnions, at least one of which is tubular; a bottom closure for said bucket; a skip-carriage having a pair of bearings in which said trunnions are mounted; a reversible power driven cable actuating mechanism mounted on said skip-carriage; and a bottom closure actuating cable having one end within said bucket and connected to said bottom closure, said cable having an intermediate portion extending through said tubular trunnion and its bearing and having its opposite end connected to said power driven cable actuating mechanism.

13. In combination: a cupola charging bucket having a pair of trunnions, at least one of which is tubular; a vertically movable bell normally closing the bottom of said bucket; a skip-carriage having a pair of hearings in which said trunnions are mounted; a power driven cable drum mounted on said skip-carriage; and a bell operating cable having one end Within said bucket and connected to said bell, said cable having an intermediate portion extending through said tubular trunnion and its bearing and having its opposite end connected to said power driven cable drum.

14. In combination: a cupola charging bucket having a pair of coaxial trunnions, at least one of which is tubuiar; a vertically movable bell normally closing the bottom of said bucket, said bell having an upstanding stem; a hollow partition extending diametrically within said bucket above said stem and in alinement with said trunnions; a sheave mounted within said partition for rotation on a horizontal axis normal to the axis of said trunnions; a skipcarriage having a pair of bearings in which said trunnions are mounted; a sheave mounted on said skip-carriage adjacent said hollow trunnion for rotation on an axis normal to the axis of said trunnions; a power driven cable drum mounted on said skip-carriage; and a bell operating cable having one end within said bucket and connected to said bucket stem, said cable having an intermediate portion extending within said partition, over said partition sheave, and through said tubular trunnion and its bearing, said cable also extending over said skip sheave and having its opposite end connected to said power driven cable drum.

15. In combination: a cupola having a charging opening; a charging bucket having an open bottom; a closure for said bucket bottom mounted for movement between open and closed positions; a skip carriage on which said bucket is mounted; guide rails along which said skip carriage travels between a loading station and a cupola charging station adjacent said charging opening where the bucket is positioned to discharge material into said cupola; an electric bucket-closure actuating mechanism mounted on said skip and connected to said bucket closure; electrical contacts mounted adjacent the cupola charging station of said skip carriage and adapted to be connected to a source of electric power; and electrical contacts carried by said skip carriage and electrically connected to said bucket closure actuating mechanism, said latter contacts being positioned to contact said firstmentioned contacts when the skip is at said charging station.

16. In combination: a cupola having a charging opening; a charging bucket having an open bottom; a closure for said bucket bottom mounted for movement between open and closed positions; a skip carriage on which said bucket is mounted; guide rails along which said skip carriage travels between a loading station and a cupola charging station adjacent said charging opening where the bucket is positioned to discharge material into said cupola; a reversible electrically driven cable drum mounted on said skip; a cable connecting said bucket closure to said drum; electrical contacts mounted adjacent the cupola charging station of said skip carriage and adapted to be connected to a source of electric power; and electrical contacts carried by said skip carriage and electrically connected to said electrically driven drum, said latter contacts being positioned to contact said first-mentioned contacts when the skip is at said charging station.

17. In combination: a cupola having a top wall formed with an opening; a bottom emptying charge bucket; an annular sealing ring spaced above the cupola top wall and substantially coaxial with the opening in said top wall; means on said cupola top wall vertically movably supporting said sealing ring; an extensible annular curtain sealingly connected at its upper end to said sealing ring and sealingly connected at its lower end to the cupola top wall to provide a continuous seal between said sealing ring and said cupola top wall around said cupola top opening; an annular abutment on said bucket periphery; carrying means for moving said bucket toward charging position at the top of said cupola said sealing ring being so positioned that it is engaged by the annular abutment of the bucket prior to arrival of the bucket at charging position; and a closure for said top opening of the cupola mounted for movement to an open position while said abutment and sealing ring are thus engaged, said sealing ring being thereafter movable downwardly by the weight of the bucket thereon.

18. In combination: a cupola having a top wall formed with an opening; a bottom emptying charge bucket; an annular sealing ring spaced above the cupola top wall and substantially coaxial with the opening in said wall; spring means on said cupola top wall vertically movably supporting said sealing ring; an extensible fluid tight annular curtain sealingly connected at its upper end to said sealing ring and sealingly connected at its lower end to the cupola top wall to provide a continuous seal between said sealing ring and said cupola top wall around said cupola top opening; an annular abutment on said bucket periphery; carrying means for moving said bucket toward charging position at the top of said cupola said sealing ring being so positioned that it is engaged by the annular abutment prior to arrival of the bucket at charging position; and a closure for said top opening of the cupola mounted for movement to an open position while said abutment and sealing ring are thus engaged, said sealing ring being thereafter movable downwardly by the weight of the bucket thereon.

19. In combination, a cupola having a wall provided with an opening, a movably mounted closure for said opening, a charging bucket, carrying means for moving said bucket toward said opening of the cupola to discharge therein, cooperating means on the bucket and cupola wall independent of said closure for effecting a sealing relationship around the opening and bucket before the bucket has completed its movement to discharge position and while said closure is in closed position over the cupola opening whereby the closure for the opening of the cupola may be moved to open position while said sealing relationship is established, said bucket being thereafter movable to final discharge position with respect to said opening.

20. In combination, a cupola having a wall provided with an opening, a movably mounted closure for said opening, a charging bucket, carrying means for moving said bucket toward said opening of the cupola to discharge therein; cooperating means on the bucket and cupola wall independent of said closure, including a flexible curtain, for effecting a sealing relationship around the opening and bucket before the bucket has completed its movement to discharge position and while said closure is in closed position over the cupola opening whereby the closure for the opening of the cupola may be moved to open position while said sealing relationship is established, said bucket being thereafter movable to final discharge position with respect to said opening.

21. In combination, a cupola having a top wall provided with an opening, a movably mounted closure for said opening, a bottom emptying charging bucket, carrying means for moving said bucket toward said top opening of the cupola to discharge therein, cooperating means on the bucket and cupola top wall over said closure for effecting a sealing relationship around the opening and bucket before the bucket has completed its downward movement to discharge position and while said closure is in closed position over the cupola opening whereby the closure for the opening of the cupola may be moved to open position while said sealing relationship is established, said bucket being thereafter movable to final discharge position with respect to said opening.

22. In combination, a cupola having a top wall provided with an opening, a movably mounted closure for said opening, a bottom emptying charging bucket, means for covering said bucket, carrying means for moving said covered bucket toward said top opening of the cupola to discharge therein, cooperating means on the bucket and cupola top wall over said closure for etfecting a sealing relationship around the opening bucket before the bucket has completed its downward movement to discharge position and while said closure is in closed position over the cupola opening whereby the closure for the opening of the cupola may be moved to open position while said sealing relationship is established, said bucket being thereafter movable to final position with respect to said opening whereby its contents may be discharged into the cupola.

23. In combination, a cupola having a wall formed with an opening, a door movable into and out of sealing engagement with said opening, a casing on said wall enclosing said opening and door, said casing having an opening alined with the opening of the cupola, a charging bucket, means for moving said bucket toward cupola charging position where material can be discharged from said bucket through said casing and cupola openings when said door is open, and cooperative abutment means on said bucket and easing forming an annular seal between the periphery of the bucket and the margin of the casing opening prior to arrival of the bucket at cupola charging position whereby the door for the cupola may be opened while a seal is being maintained around the cupola opening.

24. In combination, a cupola having a wall formed with opening, a door movable into and out of sealing engagement with said opening, a casing on said wall enclosing said opening and door, said casing having an opening alined with the opening of the cupola, a charging bucket, means for moving said bucket toward cupola charging position where material can be discharged from said bucket through said casing and cupola opening when said door is open, and cooperative abutment means on said bucket and easing including an annular flexible curtain on one said members forming an annular seal between the periphery of the bucket and the margin of the opening of the casing prior to arrival of the bucket at cupola charging position whereby the door for cupola opening may be opened while a seal is being maintained around the cupola opening.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 790,271 Baker May 23, 1905 990,379 Noelle Apr. 25, 1911 FOREIGN PATENTS 677,627 Germany June 29, 1939 4,122 Great Britain Feb. 18, 1904 14,957/09 Great Britain Mar. 10, 1910 

